PHOENIX — A teacher at a Phoenix school has been arrested for an alleged abuse of a student, according to police.
Ernesto Moncada-Cota, 50, has been arrested for allegedly having inappropriate conduct with a student at the Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics Secondary School, Phoenix police said.
On Jan. 2, administrators at the school became aware of the possibility of inappropriate conduct that involved a student and a teacher.
Phoenix police officers responded and contacted the victim of the incident. Detectives took over the investigation and established probable cause to arrest the teacher, identified as Moncada-Cota, police said.
The principal of the Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics Secondary School received an email from a parent regarding their child, who is a friend of the victim, according to court documents.
The 15-year-old victim told police she was there to talk about her "relationship" with her Spanish teacher, Moncada-Cota, according to court documents.
According to the victim, the two engaged in various sexual acts during school hours on campus, stating the incidents happened multiple times between September and December 2023.
The victim also stated she exchanged “love letters” with Moncada-Cota, including other items. On Jan. 2, a search warrant was executed and police found the letters in Moncada-Cota’s apartment, according to court documents.
When police interviewed Moncada-Cota, he admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the victim, court documents say. Moncada-Cota was booked into jail and faces multiple felony charges, including sexual misconduct with a minor, police said.
Mark Plitzuweit, president and CEO of the Edkey Inc. charter school system, released the following statement to 12News:
"Over the weekend our school was made aware of allegations that included inappropriate actions by a teacher on the ACAA Secondary campus. We always take the health, safety, and overall wellbeing of students as a top priority. Once we learned of the allegations, the individual in question was immediately removed from having any contact with students and the local authorities were notified. We have cooperated fully with Phoenix Police Department and their ongoing investigation. In addition, we will have additional resources for student and staff support, as needed."
<< This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.
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